Local News
Local vet recommends against dog flu vaccine
As dog flu continues to spread throughout the Midwest, a metro Atlanta veterinary practice is advising its clients not to get to the canine influenza vaccine for their pets unless they are at high risk.
The Village Vets, which has locations in Lilburn-Stone Mountain, Decatur, and Buckhead, sent out emails last week for reassurance after the recent outbreak that has sickened thousands of dogs in four states, some of which have died.
“It’s not a disease that’s present in Georgia,” says Dr. Carrie McColgan. “So we don’t recommend it as part of the core (vaccinations). But if the dog is at risk because of lifestyle, either traveling or in close proximity with a lot of dogs, then it’s certainly something to consider.”
McColgan says while they do carry the vaccine, it will not prevent against the type of outbreak in the Midwest which is an Asian strain of canine influenza. She says much like problems this year in humans, the strain is different from the one the vaccine is aimed at preventing.
“We think that the vaccine that is available is probably somewhat protective, but won’t 100 percent protect an animal from contracting the disease,” she tells WSB’s Sandra Parrish.
McColgan says the vaccine will, however, shorten the course of the disease and reduce the severity of the symptoms.
She does advice dogs in the affected areas of the Midwest to get it. She says the best way to prevent the spread of such illnesses is through hand washing. While humans cannot contract dog flu, it can be spread on their hands or clothing up to 24 hours after exposure to an infected dog.
A recent outbreak of a respiratory illness at the Gwinnett County Animal Shelter turned out not to be influenza but bordetella, commonly referred to as Kennel Cough, which is also highly contagious.
She says any dogs that might come in contact with others should be vaccinated against bordetella at least once a year, twice a year if the animal is boarded.
The same methods for washing should be taken because it can also be spread through human contact.
“Just wash your clothes, wash your hands frequently and that should be enough to kill the virus,” says McColgan.
